BS 8596:2015 gives guidance on surveying for bats in individual trees, groups of trees and in woodland. This includes scoping, roost and activity surveys, and record keeping.

This British Standard applies to the following:

• forestry and woodland managers and operatives, including woodland owners, managers, agents, foresters, contractors, conservation bodies and woodland advisers;
• arboriculturists, in particular tree work contractors, but also arboricultural consultants and local authority tree officers;
• planning officers, local government ecologists and other government departments whose functions might bring them into contact with bats in trees or woodland (whether directly or indirectly);
• developers and associated professions, e.g. construction companies, demolition companies and landscape architects;
• ecological consultants, particularly those who have the potential to work on the specialist aspect of surveying for bats in trees;
• utility companies, infrastructure constructors and maintainers, engineers; and
• flood risk managers.

This British Standard does not include guidance relating to bat surveys in buildings, underground sites or any habitat other than woodland or trees. It also does not give any guidance about the outcomes of the surveys undertaken, such as how woodland is managed or mitigation measures.


Cross References:
BS 42020
BS 5837
92/43/EEC
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Conservation (Natural Habitats&c.) Regulations 1994
Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) (1995)
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000


All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.